HOCM, Alcoholism & Making Positive Changes

Some good days when I can walk my dogs, some bad days when I'm either to dizzy or to short of breath that I can't. I have been to the Mayo (Jacksonville... Dr. Yamadi(?)) in 2020. When Camzyos was approved, I switched cardiologists to one who participated in the study

Hi there Suzanne, I welcome you too, to this wonderful forum. I responded to you just a bit ago, and see your post here as well. I am very proud of your determination to put you and your life first over the things that control you. I was a dedicated smoker for over 42 years. I quit cold turkey five years ago. I know the difficulties of giving up my "friend" the cigarette. I thought I would never be able to enjoy life without them. That was a lie! I am SO happy I quit. I won't lie...I still crave one now and again...but the cravings slowly got further and further apart as I made it through one day, one week, one month, one year! I know that alcohol affects the HOCM heart by "irritating" it. It can make you feel like your heart is pounding like a drum, or working so hard like a turbo diesel, and doing 125 mph in the fast lane. I believe the further you get from your "quit day", the more you are going to realize how much better you feel. You have HOCM to deal with now, and although we do not dispense medical advice here on Connect, we share information with one another. That information is so valuable, because now you know you are not alone, you're not crazy, you really are experiencing weird symptoms, like head rushes, feeling terrible after a big meal, gasping for air with little exertion, fatigue, chest pain, neck pain, swelling feet...just to name a few.
12 weeks is a great start. It is a life-time commitment to you that you need to make, and you need to learn as much as you can about your condition. You need to be your own best advocate. A lot of cardiologists are not familiar with this condition and you may have to educate them! This group is here to support you, because we all know what it is like, and sharing our journeys may help someone else in theirs. I noticed the first week or two after quitting smoking, that I had more energy. What did you notice first about when you quit?

Ty for yourbreply. All and all i am fewlin great. I dont miss the smokes at all. I was grouchy and lost the first couple weeks but def betr now! Yes u r rite, the cravings are now fewer and further btwn. Yes on the heart beating heavy with drinking...never while i was drinking but def afterwards as i was lying down and trying to sleep. I have an awesome cardiologist dr. Steve ommen at mayo clinic rochester. Ty for welcomi g me to this group

Dr. Ommen is a super star!!! So glad you have the BEST! He is probably the top doctor in the US and most likely the entire planet for all things HCM/HOCM.
I'm so glad you shared your update. I have not smoked in over five years, and honestly I am so very grateful I was able to quit, cold turkey. The cravings are gone, but when something stressful happens, I do have the urge for a smoke...I just ignore it and it goes away. I'm never going to be a slave to the stupid little cigarettes again. Done! I am impressed by your determination to do something to improve your life and your health. Your story may help someone else who thinks they just can't quit smoking or drinking. You are living proof of what tough determination can do! Great to hear back from you! Keep focused. Stay strong!

First time commenting. I was diagnosed with HOCM while I was in an alcohol treatment center. Sobriety didn’t stick right away, but the heart issues did. I’ve been sober just over 5 years now (I’m 58) and happier than I’ve been in decades. Just like sobriety, I have good heart days and bad heart days, but it is a condition I have to accept, just like my alcoholism.

@karukgirl , Thanks. I am currently taking metoprolol (not a candidate for Camzyos, yet) and have an ICD / pacemaker after one too many episodes of unexplained synchope.

@karukgirl , Thanks. I am currently taking metoprolol (not a candidate for Camzyos, yet) and have an ICD / pacemaker after one too many episodes of unexplained synchope.

I am taking metropolol as well 37.5 mg every a.m. how much do u take? I am having an icd placed as well. My consultation and testing at mayo will be dec 20, 21 and 22. I will then make final decision and then hope to i stall jan or feb of '24.
How long were u off work after having icd placed? Do u have any issues or regrets?

I take 100mg in the am and 50mg in the evening. From my last syncope to ICD installation was about a week-- once I decided to do it, I did not delay. No regrets. In fact, because it records everything, the cardiologists have data on which to base decisions.

The time you will miss depends on what you do. I recall having to keep my arm in a sling (which was also bound around my torso) for more than two weeks-- essentially I was told I couldn't move my left arm because it could pull the wires out before they healed in place.